Submitted by philip on Fri, 06/13/2014 - 12:02 During the June 11 Ethics & Religious Liberty Committee presentation, ERLC president Russell D. Moore presents an award to the wife of Saeed Abedini, an American pastor who is imprisoned for his Christian faith in Iran. Abedini received the Richard Land Award for Distinguished Service for "faithfully serving the Lord Jesus Christ ... despite the risk that was involved." His wife Naghmeh received the award on his behalf and received a standing ovation from messengers. Newly elected SBC president Ronnie Floyd then led messengers in a prayer for the imprisoned pastor. By Tom Strode, Baptist Press BALTIMORE (BP) -- Members of two families who are standing heroically for the Christian faith received awards from the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission and grateful affirmation from messengers to the 2014 Southern Baptist Convention. The ERLC honored the Greens, who own Hobby Lobby, and Saeed Abedini, a prisoner in Iran, Wednesday morning (June 11) during the SBC's annual meeting. ERLC President Russell D. Moore presented the John Leland Religious Liberty Award to Steve and Jackie Green for their family's refusal to abide by the Obama administration's … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Fri, 06/13/2014 - 12:04 Southern Baptist Convention messengers adopted nine resolutions during the two-day SBC annual meeting at the Baltimore Convention Center and elected Ronnie Floyd as their new president. By Shawn Hendricks, Baptist Press BALTIMORE (BP) -- An update to the SBC constitution regarding qualifications for churches to send messengers to the annual meeting was adopted during the Executive Committee's report to the convention June 11 in Baltimore. Describing the recommendation as "small church friendly," EC chairman Ernest Easley said the proposal to revise Article III is a response to a motion from last year's annual meeting in Houston that requested updating messenger qualifications. It was the 16th motion in the past 35 years to call for a reevaluation of Article III. Messengers adopted the recommendation without debate or questions from the floor. In order to officially revise Article III, the recommendation will need to be approved by messengers a second time during the 2015 annual meeting in Columbus, Ohio. "The Executive Committee floated the recommendation out across the convention the last several months in order to build consensus which has really proved beneficial in … [Read more...]

BALTIMORE (BP) – Messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention adopted a resolution on transgender identity for the first time while returning to such issues as civil rights, gambling and world hunger for further statements. All nine resolutions offered Tuesday (June 10) at the SBC’s 2014 meeting gained approval by unanimous or overwhelming votes. The messengers’ actions in about 30 minutes meant a second report scheduled for Wednesday morning (June 11) was not needed. Twelve resolutions were submitted to the committee. Messengers defeated efforts to bring two of those resolutions to the floor for consideration. The resolution on transgender identity came in response to recent gains in state legislatures, the federal executive branch, public schools and the wider culture by advocates for recognizing a distinction between gender and biology. In the resolution, messengers affirmed that “gender identity is determined by biological sex and not by one’s self-perception.” It expressed love for transgender people and invited them to trust in Jesus. Texas pastor David Dykes, chairman of the Resolutions Committee, said at a news conference after the vote, “To this point we had not spoken on this issue, so there was a need for clarity” … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Fri, 06/13/2014 - 12:08 Paige Patterson, president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, gives a report to messengers at the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting during the last session of the two-day meeting. He said his seminary has a passion for reaching the lost and is experiencing unprecedented blessing. Southwestern's online program is growing, its students and faculty are involved in personal evangelism, and its financial standing is firm with recent gifts totaling $13 million. By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer BALTIMORE, Md. – Paige Patterson addressed SBC messengers during the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary report regarding his decision to admit a Muslim student to the school’s PhD program in archaeology. Last year, a Palestinian Muslim who participated in the seminary’s archaeological dig in Israel was admitted to the program, an exception to the school’s admission policy. News about the decision by Patterson, who serves as president of the seminary, surfaced last month in news outlets, resulting in criticism by some in Southern Baptist life. Two messengers asked Patterson about the decision, which violated the policy of letting … [Read more...]

PINEVILLE – Two Louisiana Colleges will spend part of their summer in Oxford, England, as part of the inaugural class of the National Religious Broadcasters Distinguished Scholar’s Term. From June 28 to July 12, Mark Klein and Miranda Quartermont will participate in one-on-one tutorials in research and writing with a distinguished scholar at Jesus College in the heart of Oxford University. The students also will complete four essays in either the field of communication, ethics, film, philosophy or theology. Klein is a senior and Quartermont is a junior. Students considered must have at least a 3.5 Grade Point Average, obtain a reference letter from their professors and submit an essay or video indicating their desire to attend the term. All eligible students must be members of iNRB, which is the collegiate division of NRB, a non-partisan, international association of Christian communicator whose mission is to advance biblical truth, defend free speech and promote media excellence. “It’s such a big honor for both of them, and we could not be more excited to see them get it,” said Al Quartemont, coordinator for the LC Department of Convergence Media. “It speaks to the commitment Dr. Johnson has made to helping us develop the next … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Fri, 06/13/2014 - 12:17 Culminating the four-day Haughton Adventure Weekend was a family fun day which featured free food, entertainment, games and well-known celebrities such as evangelist Jay Lowder, Duck Dynasty’s Willie Robertson, singer Jason Crabb and fisherman Jimmy Houston. By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer HAUGHTON – Rock wall climbing, free chicken fingers, festive music, a classic car show, demonstrations by a professional fisherman and giant inflatables recently provided the backdrop for a perfect witnessing opportunity on Haughton High School’s football field. Thousands from Haughton and other nearby communities came together for a block party on a sunny spring May Saturday. The family fun day was more than just an opportunity to enjoy free games, food and entertainment. For four days in Haughton, thousands turned out for a ladies night, youth night, men’s beast feast and a community-wide celebration service – all which were designed to point some to a first-time relationship with Christ. The Haughton Adventure Weekend included giveaways such as a new car, gift cards and an RV. Among those appearing at the events were Jay Lowder, evangelist and founder of Jay Lowder … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Fri, 06/13/2014 - 12:19 Four students with Louisiana ties received doctorates from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary May 17. Pictured from left to right: Randy Howard Burdeaux from Bogalusa, La., who serves as senior pastor at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church in West Monroe, received the doctor of ministry degree; Joshua Neal Burnham from Oxford, Miss., who serves as senior pastor at First Baptist Church in Gramercy, received the doctor of philosophy degree; NOBTS President Chuck Kelley; Mark Alan Fenn from Morgan City who serves as global ministries pastor at First Baptist Church of West Monroe, received the doctor of ministry degree; and Michael Paul Naylor from Macomb, Ill., who serves as pastor at First Baptist Church in LaPlace, received the doctor of ministry degree. NEW ORLEANS (BP) – New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary President Chuck Kelley told the seminary’s spring graduates that Psalm 103 comes to his mind as he prays for them, reminding him of God’s blessing on their lives. “This is my prayer for you: That you will make an irrevocable act of faith and bless God all the days of your life,” Kelley said. New Orleans Seminary celebrated a total of 268 graduates who received both … [Read more...]